Footrot discovery was 'sickening' for young Monaro farmer

Sheep producer John Murdoch considered 'throwing in the towel' when footrot was discovered on a number of his family's farms in southern New South Wales.

The notifiable disease has been confirmed on a number of properties in southern parts of the Monaro through to Goulburn and Yass in New South Wales.

After going away to university and working for several years as an accountant before returning to the farm, Mr Murdoch had not previously come across the disease. But his father had.

"He knew quite quickly what it was. Turning over animals that looked healthy actually showed there was some level of infection in the wider flock," he said.

The discovery at their property Bibbenluke, near Bombala led to them to trace it back to another family farm at Mila Valley near Delegate.

"It was a real test. Perseverance was needed to keep going forward. You do feel like throwing in the towel. It has been a bit painful. Hopefully we have the worst behind us," Mr Murdoch said.

The Mila property was destocked with sheep sold to a Melbourne abattoir.

A management plan is now in place for the infected sheep at the other property after consultation with the Local Land Services (LLS) and a vet.

"Seeing how big the problem was and from there its been about ongoing control and now eradication is what we are trying to achieve and it's been a very good relationship thus far."

Mr Murdoch says keeping good records helped in knowing where the stock had been. The majority of the flock were clear so there is confidence that it is now under control, although the disease has brought financial hardship.

"Economically it has hurt quite a bit," he said.

While talk of the outbreak had been spreading around the district, the fear of the ramifications from the disease and possibility of having to destock, has many nervous.

The Murdoch's decision to be open about the problem was a conscious one.

Mr Murdoch says integrity is very important and we felt it was our responsibility to act immediately.

"My greatest fear was that when we found out about it, I had sold sheep locally. You hope like God that we hadn't hurt any other producers and we didn't think we had," he said.

"It is your responsibility that if you have got something that threatens the livelihood of people around, you do have an obligation to get on the front foot."

The wet conditions in April followed by unseasonably warm weather is believed to have created the conditions for the outbreak.